As long as you turn up and work hard, life is going to be ok!

"If your goal doesn't completely drown you, it's probably not big enough and definitely like mine completely floors me in the fact that what I'm trying to do is move the market and change what the future should look like... - Chenelle Ansah

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

As an investor and consultant, Chenelle is passionate about ensuring founders of diverse backgrounds have access to capital.

As Partner at Cornerstone Partners with a mission focused on investing in black founders from the UK, she works hard every day making sure they are leading the charge when it comes time for new Fintech opportunities or bank M&As (mergers and acquisitions) across Europe.

In addition to serving as Founder/MD of Nell Consulting where her expertise includes strategy work related specifically around financial disruption plus scaling operations within companies experiencing growth.

Young Chenelle started out as the family entertainment, dancing for friends and visitors on demand.

But, as is common with our guests on the "Everyday Leadership" podcast, it wasn't long before THAT chat with a parent came up, and the focus began.

A career in finance beckoned, and as it goes, it was quite the path.

The emergence of neo banking was a big deal for businesses in the UK. And Chenelle was right in the thick of it.

She explains how she developed a reputation for expertise in the space, and how working with these banks helped her understand how to systemise these businesses.

It becomes abundantly clear in this chat that like Sope, Chenelle's faith is at the heart of all she does.

She explains how she feels that her life is already decided and she's just showing up and continuing along the path.

And as she explains, that belief, when you have it, enables you to live a life that others can only dream of...

01m15s - Young Chenelle and the dancing

04m31s - The fascination with fashion

09m01s - Moving into business finance and investments

18m00s - Chenelle's faith in her preordained path

35m00s - Bridging the gap as a life mission

37m15s - Big Audacious Goals and dealing with the overwhelm

41m50s - The journey with Cornerstone Partners

47m29s - What's next?

48m39s - How Chenelle defines leadership

Cornerstone's website

Chenelle's LinkedIn

Chenelle's page on TechInvest

Nell Consulting

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You need to understand your pillars before you can build your personal brand...

"I'm no longer going to prioritise other people's needs, want and desires over mine. I'm no longer going to allow people's voices to be heard when they're speaking their rubbish and crap about feeling attacked and me silence mine when that wasn't the case. - Tru Powell

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

In his own words, Tru is a multi-award winning creative entrepreneur, publicity coach and personal brand strategist passionate about supporting entrepreneurs cultivate their personal brands through the power of press and PR.

Tru is also a proud father and husband whose family very much comes as a package deal in his brand.

He's an activist as well as an advocate for the performing arts, and prides himself on helping others to reach their full potential.

When it comes to personal branding, many don't truly understand what it actually means.

Tru talks us through it in great detail, sharing his own experience with growing a strong personal brand, and the benefits of ensuring you do it the correct way, using authenticity at your core.

After listening, you'll undoubtedly have a better understanding of how you should approach your brand, and what pillars you want to be known for!

At one point in this conversation, Tru shares with Sope a story about a moment in which he learned who his true friends were.

It's a story that many of us will probably find very relatable.

After listening to it, you'll most likely feel more empowered to continue to lean into your truth, and the difference it can make for the wider community you're serving.

01m30s - The come up as one of seven in Birmingham poverty

08m30s - Making a choice to overcome struggles

12m00s - Key lessons including patience

22m07s - How Tru's personal brand came to be

27m15s - Dealing with judgement

32m32s - Tru's advice on personal branding

38m23s - Tru's work in awards

41m44s - Platforming others

48m30s - Young kids and personal brands

51m31s - The status of the current singing career

52m54s - How Tru defines leadership

Tru's website

Tru's Twitter

Marcus Rashford mural

Key Person of Influence

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You have to say yes to yourself before you say to yes to others...

"Like, self love, self leadership, self observation, self value, self empowerment and it might sound like a lot of self, it kind of is, but it's really... I promise you, that is really not the ego. Well, the ego is involved in some ways. But I don't mean it in the sense of, like, be full of yourself. Although I do kind of mean it in the sense of being full of yourself, maybe capital S, self or soul or something that's synonymous with God or universe. But be full of that. Be full of that and lead yourself from that place.. - Akasha Saunders

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

In his own words, Akasha is a pilgrim, educator and coach who has over 10 years of professional experience.

He brings a constructive developmental approach to fostering diversity in organizations as he works with them on increasing awareness for inclusion among all people of all genders.

And especially among those from underprivileged backgrounds or whose voices haven't been heard before.

From listening to this conversation, you'll understand how important Akasha's immediate family has always been to him.

From his childhood years growing up with his granny, and all the wisdom he learned from her and how she taught him all about manifestation and prayer.

And then through his 'false start' accepting a career of working in a bank which didn't sit right with his values.

Interestingly, this was one of the main catalysts for his launch into leadership training.

Right up until meeting one of his most impactful ever teachers - his own teenager.

This is a conversation that educates and inspires.

Oh, and an explanation all around Sawubona! - I see you!

What's apparent in this conversation is Akasha's approach to cultivating leadership and talent, while respecting existing cultures.

He demonstrates awareness of the differing approaches to challenges and how there is not one mould that must set the template for things.

02m28s - Young Akasha

06m04s - Culture and differences

16m24s - Saying 'yes' to yourself first

26m03s - Akasha's thoughts on approach to work and theory

30m36s - Steve Jobs and the five year old Akasha

34m26s - How parenting helped Akasha grow

49m08s - Future Akasha and what matters to him

Akasha's website

Akasha's LinkedIn

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The core fundamental that threads through Rani everyday... love.

" ... you're the daughter of the owner of this company. You don't even have to work. What is your problem? I said, oh my goodness, look at how the world is. The world is already putting these notions on me that I'm supposed to be entitled. I'm supposed to piggyback off of somebody else's credit even though he's my dad. But what about me? What about the sense that I have earned a position or earned a level of earning or just to be proud of what skills and talents I may be given.. - Rani Puranik

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

A selfless, caring and hard-working woman who inspires others with her dedication to making the world better one step at a time.

Revati Puranik - or Rani as she's known in India - is an absolute entrepreneur success story.

Yet she also knows how important it can be for underprivileged kids to have access to education too, so they don't fall behind their peers.

It can be challenging when society sees them only coming from disadvantaged homes due lack of resources, and has nothing to do with talent!

As you will hear from the conversation, Rani didn't have to do any of the things she's done in her life and career.

She was set.

But her determination to turn her back on entitlement makes her such a strong powerful force in the world.

And it's little wonder she's so admired and respected.

Rani's book "7 Letters To My Daughters" is literally a book of lessons around love, leadership and legacy.

You can buy the book here:

https://www.ranipuranik.com/seven-letters-to-my-daughters-book/

In this episode, you'll get a real taster of the book's contents as Rani talks all about her experience moving between Houston and India.

She shares some impactful wisdom around culture, why Winnie The Pooh is a 'Zen master' and even some advice on how to demonstrate empathetic leadership.

01m17s - Rani's story

11m09s - Younger Rani between the US and India

18m10s - Rani's return to the US and her reinvention

24m29s - Rani's biggest test - letting go

28m31s - How Rani manages to stay focused on her journey

34m16s - The challenges Rani's had to navigate around people and cultures

45m06s - Overcoming challenges over not leaning into entitlement

52m56s - How Rani defines leadership

Rani's book

Rani's website

Worldwide Oilfield Machine website

If you've just stumbled across this podcast episode by chance, please do click here to follow it so you never miss a future episode.

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We've decided to turn the tables a bit...

"I felt God saying to me, this is not it. Like, this is not what you been called in to do. What is that skill set that you've had? What is the thing that you do that others find difficult? What do you find easy? What is that thing? And for me, it was coaching.. - Sope Agbelusi

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

Leadership coaching for 15 years has been a passion of Sope's.

He coaches leaders who want to make an impact on the lives and mindsets of those they lead, helping them improve personal growth while positively impacting company culture with innovative ideas that increase collaboration across departments.

This purpose takes him and his clients on a journey of growth and awareness that centres around people rather than their titles and positions.

Sope Agbelusi lives and breathes authentic leadership.

And he demonstrates that fully by handing over the microphone to the person who is best qualified at holding him to account over his authenticity - his wife.

Shirine Agbelusi (previous guest in episode 50) sits down with her husband and spends an hour getting inside the mindset of the man behind Mindsetshift.

During the conversation he shares his views on family, faith and misappropriation when it comes to modern language.

He shares his key takeaways from working in the leadership space, and his thoughts on where things need to go moving forward, including the opportunity presented by future generations.

03m39s - Who is Sope Agbelusi?

12m26s - Faith in professional conversations

16m08s - Sope's journey

24m54s - What sets Sope apart as a coach

31m16s - How Sope leads himself outside of work life

39m46s - Stepping out of the comfort zone

44m13s - Things that frustrate Sope... and the ones that excite him

Masibu at TranslateCulture

Alex Holmes, author and podcaster

Sope Agbelusi's website

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I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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Leading the change within church

"I was excited by how can I lead, but not in the church space? It felt limiting. It felt like it was repetitive. I was kind of interested and excited by the world, which in my tradition was painted as quite a dangerous place. But I found it quite exciting. - Dr Selina Stone

(Want to read a full written for reading transcript version of this episode? Download it here.)

As a Lecturer in Theology at St Mellitus College, Dr Selina Stone brings together theology and religious studies with an emphasis on liberation through her work as part-time freelance researcher.

She's currently leading the team undertaking research for a project about wellbeing among BAME/UKME Clergy within Church of England institutions.

She was a Christian from a very young age and she grew up with that being reinforced in all areas of her life.

She had a very strong connection to God.

As you will hear in the episode, Dr Selina had a lot of awareness when she was getting more involved in the church.

She knew it wasn't perfect and that things had to be different if she was going to get on with it. And it didn't initially excite her.

But as we always say on this podcast, leadership starts with self.

And Dr Selina is a great example of a leader starting the leadership journey with self.

Particularly when it comes to leaning into that responsibility that we know we have to take to help others first.

For Dr Selina, the theological work that she does around helping people think critically about faith is very much intertwined with these concerns about social justice and having a kind of nuanced understanding life.

The politics/theology works together in all aspects when it comes to defending or discovering more equality for everyone; not just those who are Christian-based but also followers from other religions as well!

The importance here lies within exploring one's own identity while still being committed towards improving society at large - something which can be seen through every aspect including how we approach jobs like hers where there often isn't much room left to manoeuvre.

01m26s - Dr Selina's backstory

05m59s - Having the courage to see things differently

15m33s - What it was like for Dr Selina being a leader

26m10s - Navigating the balance between justice and silence

36m24s - How Selina makes time for herself

46m34s - Coping when prayer doesn't 'work' immediately

56m36s - How Dr Selina Stone defines leadership

Dr Selina Stone on LinkedIn

Dr Selina Stone's podcast "Sunday School for misfits"

Dr Selina Stone's page on the University of Birmingham website

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I am always keen to hear your thoughts and connect with the community of listeners. If you have any comments, feedback or thoughts, please drop me an email at https://mindsetshift.co.uk/#ask-me-anything

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Website | Youtube | Instagram | LinkedIn

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